# Those envelope symbols...huh?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-envelope-symbols-huh/99110>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [March 19, 2002, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-envelope-symbols-huh/99110 "2002-03-19T21:59:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2002, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-envelope-symbols-huh/99110/1 "2002-03-19T21:59:26Z")

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I think I understand what the envelope symbols _say_ they mean. However, I don’t understand what they really mean. I’ve never seen the red envelope, though many threads have enough posts and viewings. In the Cecil’s Columns forum, my “Binocular critters…” thread has no new posts, and has a closed envelope. Shagnasty’s “Squirrels…rabies” thread also has no replies, yet it has an open envelope. What’s the difference?

–Nott